Rehberg grilled on minimum wage, as 2012 arrives

By Ben Smith

03/08/11 11:26 AM EST

Democrats today are circulating this video of Rep. Denny Rehberg, the GOP candidate for the Senate from Montana, ignoring repeated questions from a Democratic tracker on what the federal minimum wage is.

A Rehberg aide said the congressman, who voted against the most recent minimum wage hike in 2007, was leaving an hour-long listening-session with constituents in Billings, his 77th of the session. Democrats are seeking to paint Rehberg, one of the wealthiest members of the House, as out of touch.

Expect to see a lot more videos like this, and perhaps members of Congress should consider boning up on this one: It's $7.25 an hour.

A Rehberg spokesman said the Congressman was on a flight and couldn't immediately comment; I'll update when he sends something over.

UPDATE: A Rehberg aide notes that while Rehberg voted against the bill that raised the minimum wage, he did support a Republican alternative that coupled the move with tax cuts. The aide also notes that in Montana, the state has set a higher minimum wage, currently $7.35.

Rehberg spokesman Jed Link emails:

It’s certainly troubling that the Montana Democrat Party and Jon Tester’s campaign have hired someone who apparently doesn’t know what the minimum wage is in Montana. That said, being ignorant of the law doesn't mean you aren't still entitled to its protections. If this young man isn't being paid in accordance with the law by the Montana Democrat Party or Jon Tester’s campaign, Congressman Rehberg's office will help him in any way it can.